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Tonight’s presidential candidates Sergio Massaof Union por la Patria, and cAffair Milliefrom La Libertad Avanza, will face each other in the end TV debate Ahead of the decisive runoff on November 19. As the country descends into political fervor, look at The American experience in presidential and vice-presidential debates, Which dates back to the sixties, It can be a reference For the local scene. According to a report from Pew Research Centera non-partisan data center can be extracted Five basic factsWhich sheds light on the dynamics of these events in North American politics.
1- A mass audience despite the decline:
Although overall television viewership has declined over the years, presidential debates still attract large audiences. In 2016, The first debate between Clinton and Trump It set a record with 84 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. This number far exceeded the number of viewers of other campaign events, underscoring the continued importance of debates in the political sphere. Despite a decline in overall television viewership, debates remain a key component of connecting with voters.
2- Perceived benefit but not decisive:
Pew Research Center post-election polls since 1988 reveal this Voters find debates useful, but not always decisive. Although at least three-fifths of voters find debates useful in making decisions,… Only 10% stated that they had made the final decision “during or immediately after” the 2016 debates. This highlights that while debates play a role in shaping opinions, most voters had already made up their minds before this crucial event.
3- Vice Presidential debates in the background:
Historically, vice presidential debates have ranked second in viewership. In 2016, there was a controversy between Pence and Kaine It attracted 37 million viewers 44% less than the joint presidential debaten lowest rating. However, the exception in 2008, when the Biden-Palin debate surpassed any of the three presidential debates in viewership, shows that vice presidential events can capture public attention as well.
4- Development in the form of debates:
From the first debates between Kennedy and Nixon in 1960 until 1988, the committee format dominated, but it evolved over time. The League of Women Voters, which had organized debates in previous decades, gave way to the Debate Commission. In 1992, the commission introduced alternative formats, such as a “town hall” where undecided voters ask questions.
5- High-level supervisors:
Debate moderators come mainly from the upper echelons of television journalism. Notable PBS journalists, such as Jim LehrerThey were prominent figures, demonstrating the importance of media experience in this role. The selection of moderators reflects confidence in experts in the field of television communications to facilitate important political exchanges.
As Massa and Milley prepare for their final showdown in Argentina, the American debate experience offers valuable lessons about the impact and dynamics of these crucial events on the democratic process.
